Civil Service in the news
Gus O’Donnell launches new strategy for skills delivery
Find out what Civil Service leaders
think about skills in government
A strategy committing leaders in the civil service and Armed Forces to work together on common skills issues was launched on 1 April 2008, by Gus O’Donnell at Civil Service Live, an event organised to inspire innovation in the Civil Service.
Building Professional Skills [External website] - a strategy for delivery explains how central government employers will step up to meet the skills challenge. It sets out a programme of work, with the PSG competency framework at its core, which will provide staff with clearer professional career paths, improved access to accredited skills and improved mobility prospects within government and beyond.
Gus said:
“Skills are critical to all employers. The global economy is changing rapidly. China and India are growing dramatically and their workforces are becoming ever more highly qualified. The UK's ability to keep pace in this competitive environment will be determined by the skills of its workforce. The civil service is no exception. The public rightly expects us to do more with less. In order to meet the demands of tomorrow, to retain the public's trust and confidence, and to deliver ever-improving services we must use our talents to the full. ”
“The successful delivery of this strategy depends on all of us playing our part. Each of us has to make a commitment to learn - to recognise that today's standards are not good enough for tomorrow. This is a challenge that applies to all colleagues across all levels.. And I am determined we must meet it”
The strategy has been developed by Government Skills, the sector skills council for central government working with HR leads, Heads of Professions and Permanent Secretaries across government. The Government Skills team moves from Cabinet Office to join the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills from 1st April 2008. DIUS is responsible for skills policy across the economy and the move should enable Government Skills to get greater traction for implementation of the skill strategy.
